Ideas and lessons learnt that guide my design thinking over the years that I like to pay forward.
Thought Leadership
PM’s are your User, too
Think of your Product Manager as your user. Understand their goals. Help them achieve it.
Be a Resource
Feature requirements should not be prescriptive. They should identify the problem, but not how to solve it. Review Product Managers’ work, just like they would review yours. Help them write it correctly. It’s a win-win!
Get to The Why
Don’t start designing the details until you understand the big picture - The Why.
Be Exemplary
Have mentors you can learn from by following their lead. Then be that same role model to your co-workers.
Be Flexible
Don’t be married to your design. Instead, create multiple design options and invite feedback. Be flexible and open when receiving feedback.
From Idea to Ideal
Tell the story of how you got from idea to ideal, i.e. think through the pros and cons of each of the design options. This forms the rationale for the ideal design.
P.O.V.
Always have a Point Of View. Be confident in your design rationale, which you have come to through careful consideration of multiple design options and is grounded in your understanding of the customer needs.
Principles & Convictions
Stick to your guns when it comes to following the design process. Don’t let others try to make you take shortcuts for the sake of a quicker delivery. It’s more cost-effective to spend more time upfront in design and customer validation than later during development. So, be confident knowing you are doing what’s right, and respectfully speak your mind.
Cultural Differences
Recognize that for some off-shore co-workers, English is not their first language. Try to understand the meaning and intention behind the words. A statement may only be a suggestion, not a final decision. Be patient with them and work together on a compromise.
Collaborate Early & Often
Make it a habit to share your work with Product Managers and Developers at every milestone, so they can see the value UX brings, and help you to identify concerns before it becomes too costly to pivot.